Guwahati, Aug 3: The Assam Congress on August 2 accused the state government of failing to effectively utilise flood relief funds released by the Centre due to inadequate budgetary provisions and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into what it termed “man-made” floods in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, former Assam minister Nilamoni Sen Deka alleged that although funds had been released under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the state government could not utilise them without fresh budgetary allocation and approval from the Assembly.
Claiming that the government had not earmarked sufficient funds for flood response in the state budget, Deka alleged that the administration was unable to spend available relief funds despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis. He also proposed the enactment of a separate law to declare floods a “State Problem”, enabling the government to directly utilise state revenue for relief and rehabilitation measures.
The Congress also questioned the quantum of central assistance extended to Assam, claiming the state had received Rs 379.35 crore while Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra were allocated Rs 500 crore each despite Assam facing widespread flooding. The remarks came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the advance release of Rs 2,117.85 crore from the Centre’s share of the SDRF to support flood-affected states during the southwest monsoon.
Assam Congress media department chairman Bedabrat Bora alleged that illegal open-cast coal mining and organised syndicates operating along the state’s borders with Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh had contributed to flash floods in Upper Assam. He claimed that illegal mining had created large pits that overflowed or breached during heavy rainfall, aggravating flooding in several areas.
Bora further alleged that between 40 and 60 trucks carrying illegally mined coal entered Assam daily from Nagaland and claimed the alleged network had evolved into a Rs 3,000-crore extortion syndicate. He also alleged that the state government had failed to constitute a task force despite directions issued by the National Green Tribunal and the Gauhati High Court in 2022 to address illegal mining activities.
The Congress leader said the party would approach the court by filing a public interest litigation and a contempt petition over the alleged inaction against illegal mining.
The party also submitted a 24-point charter of demands to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The memorandum sought financial assistance for farmers, a GST waiver on construction materials required for rebuilding, compensation for business losses, free food for flood-affected families and a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the causes of recurring floods, along with stronger preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Assam continued to improve, with the number of affected people declining to around 1.78 lakh. However, the overall flood death toll in the state remained at 85.
